You’re never too old to bounce into something new (video)

Kangoo Jumps, a low impact rebound exercise shoe that's easy on joints, being demonstrated for the first time at West Edmonton Mall.Ed Kaiser
/ edmontonjournal.com

Cheryl Southey, left, and Roxanne Carriere with Kangoo Jumps, a low impact rebound exercise shoe that's easy on joints, being demonstrated for the first time at West Edmonton Mall on June 10. They've been used in Europe and California for up to 20 years and the two ladies are being trained on them so they can teach others. Kangoo Jumps are being called the newest fitness craze.Ed Kaiser
/ edmontonjournal.com

Kangoo Jumps, a low impact rebound exercise shoes that’s easy on joints, being demonstrated for the first time at West Edmonton Mall on June 10. They’ve been used in Europe and California for about a decade. Kangoo Jumps are being called the newest fitness craze.Ed Kaiser
/ Ed Kaiser

Rob Bouthillier of Sudbury, Ont., the Canadian distributor of Kangoo Jumps, helped launch the spring-loaded fitness footwear during a demonstration Sunday at West Edmonton Mall. He credits the boots with helping him lose 110 pounds over the last two years.Ed Kaiser
/ Ed Kaiser

Cody Duval, left, and Liam England trying out the Kangoo Jumps, a low impact rebound exercise shoes that’s easy on joints, being demonstrated for the first time at West Edmonton Mall on June 10. They’ve been used in Europe and California for up to 20 years. Kangoo Jumps are being called the newest fitness craze.Ed Kaiser
/ Ed Kaiser

Julie Lajeunesse demonstrating the Kangoo Jumps, a low impact rebound exercise shoe that’s easy on joints, being demonstrated for the first time at West Edmonton Mall on June 10. They’ve been used in Europe and California for up to 20 years. Kangoo Jumps are being called the newest fitness craze.Ed Kaiser
/ Ed Kaiser

EDMONTON — There was a little more spring than usual in Ross Elliott’s step Sunday. The 80-year-old had slipped his feet into a pair of Kangoo Jumps, spring-loaded boots that are expected to become the next big thing in fitness to hit North America.

After gaining some confidence on the treaded curved bottoms, Elliott carefully bounced over to show off for his wife Shirley, watching from metal bleachers near a stage at West Edmonton Mall.

“You do feel a little like a kangaroo,” he says. “You have to keep moving. Standing still is the hardest thing to do.”

Seventy-one-year-old Shirley, who has had a few falls, was just thankful he’d been able to stay upright.

The couple had been sitting, examining one of the boots and thinking about picking up a pair for their daughter Susan, when Elliott suddenly decided to give them a try, ignoring Shirley’s worried “Oh boy.”

He was the oldest person to put his feet into a pair, drawing applause not only from spectators but from Rob Bouthillier and Julie Lajeunesse of BounceFit in Sudbury, Ont., who put on a public demonstration to help launch the footwear in Edmonton.

Rebound fitness is not new — it’s been around since the 1980s, Bouthillier says.

Kangoo Jumps are also not new. They originated in Europe where they have been popular for more than a decade. They’re big in select cities in North America but are just beginning to emerge as a wider trend, as the last big craze, zumba, begins to fade after a decade, Bouthillier explains.

The boots are not available in stores, but Bounce Obsession of Edmonton will take orders, and starting Saturday, August 4th, locals Cheryl Southey and Roxanne Carriere will run Kangoo Jump classes in Edmonton and Spruce Grove.

“We want fitness to be fun, it really should be fun, but at the same time, it should also be a workout,” Bouthillier says during a break. “One zumba instructor who tried it said it’s like zumba on steroids,” he adds laughing.

Anyone from six to 90, and weighing up to 350 pounds, can wear them. They can be worn indoors and out, while running or exercising. People with poor balance have to start slow but can gradually strengthen core muscles over several weeks, Bouthillier says.

“The challenge is putting people in the boots. Once they’re in them and they feel how (low) impact it is on their muscles and joints, they fall in love with them.”

Teens Liam England and Cody Duval, who play football and have no problem with balance, ran laps around the stage in the boots, while others exercised in place following the demonstrators on stage.

“I would wear these to school to tell you the truth,” England said, jumping up and down on the spot. “It’s like running on air. It’s fun.”

Pam Riegger, who had only seen them on TV or in a magazine before, said “it felt like being on a trampoline, but you can go places.”

At almost $300 a pair, the footwear is not cheap, which is why taking a class and renting a pair is a good idea to see if you like them before you buy, Bouthillier says.

“When people start bouncing around it’s like being a kid again and being able to bounce up and down on your bed,” he explains, but without your parents yelling at you.

Elliott, who worked up a sweat, figures it would be an effective way to drop the 30 pounds he wants to lose. But he doesn’t expect his wife to ever slip on a pair.

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